Automakers charge ahead with electrics in China, even as policy drive slows

20 April 2017, 06:15 | Marlene Myers

More surprisingly, Volvo, also announced that the EV would be built on the car-manufacturers smaller platform corresponding to the 40-series vehicle models, which goes against previous communications about an electric SUV.

The electric vehicle concept has been unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, and industry insiders suggest that it will reach production, retaining its electric drivetrain, by 2020.

GKN declined to name the European client, but said the manufacturer would sell Chinese-made electric motors worldwide, and further supply agreements with domestic and global vehicle manufacturers had been signed.

Volvo has two factories in China and in 2015 became the first automaker to export Chinese-made cars to the United States.

The industry is rattled by Beijing's proposal to require that electric cars make up 8% of every brand's production as soon as next year. "We believe that electrification is the answer to sustainable mobility".

"There is a clear (Chinese) government policy in favour of electromobility - high subsidies and an industrial framework in the form of joint venture companies which are being encouraged to invest in this technology", Diess said, adding Beijing appeared to be trying to replicate the success of hybrid auto technology in Japan and diesel vehicles in Germany. It is to be the first in a full range of pure-electric vehicles for China.

Keane chase on after Burnley man confirms exit
Michael Keane has told Burnley that he wants to leave the club at the end of the season, according to reports. Burnley are believed to want at least £30 million for Keane, but are keen to hang onto their star centre-back.

On Tuesday, Volkwagen AG announced plans to launch a pure-electric vehicle in China next year with a state-owned partner. The 40-series is known to include the S40 saloon and XC40 small SUV - the latter of which is due to go on sale later this year.

Details of the plug-in electric drivetrain have not been released but MG says that it makes the E-motion capable of a sub four-second 0-62mph time, while having a range between charges of more than 310 miles.

Sales growth fell to 1.7% in March from last year's 15%.

Ford's Schoch said that as manufacturing volume of batteries - an electric car's most expensive component - expands, costs should fall, making them competitive with combustion engines.

While green energy auto sales have risen dramatically on the back of government policies, making China the world's leading market in this segment, electric cars have otherwise generated little consumer interest. It is also developing a fully electric vehicle on its larger Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. The company says it plans to develop plug-in hybrid versions of all its models.

Trending Now

Graham calls for more troops to fight ISIS
It is believed that the strikes were in response to Ivanka Trump being appalled at the results of Assad's chemical attack. The base was used in the Syrian attack in Khan Sheikhun in rebel-held Idlib province, whose victims included 27 children.

Michael B. Jordan to burn up HBO in 'Fahrenheit 451' film
When Montag meets an idealistic teenager named Clarisse McClellan, he begins to rethink his work and the society he lives in. When Bradbury wrote the novel in 1953, he did so in response to McCarthyism, and the paranoid state of American politics.

Aaron Hernandez: What we know on day of his death
He says Hernandez's loved ones are "heartbroken and determined to find the truth surrounding his untimely death". During his pro career, the Bristol, Conn., native caught passes for almost 2,000 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Former Corbyn ally 'switches from Labour to Lib Dems'
Mr Marshall-Andrews used to sit with the socialist group of Labour MPs alongside Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell. Corbyn aides say they've long had the party on an election footing and are well prepared to launch their campaign.